THREE men yesterday appeared in court charged with the murder of a dad in a house.

Sam Johnston, 22, died following a disturbance in Parkend Gardens, Saltcoats, Ayrshire, on Saturday.

Fergal Morgan, 21, Allan Carey, 18, and Stuart McCulloch, 17, were each charged with murder and made no plea or declaration when they appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. Carey was also charged with assault.

The three, from Ardrossan, were remanded in custody and will appear in court again next month.

A murder probe was launched after Sam was killed early on Saturday morning. The 22-year-old, who launched Johnston Processing earlier this year, was found dead in a block of flats.

His parents Allan and Lynn and brothers Scott and Ross are devastated by his death.

Allan, of Ardrossan, said: “Our hearts are broken but he lives with us every day.”

Sam’s partner Michelle, with whom he had 19-month-old daughter Lily, left a floral tribute pinned to a fence near where Sam was found.

It read: “RIP Sam. Love you babe. You will always be in my heart. Promise to always tell our daughter about you. I’m yours, Chelle.”